Preparing Your PC For Optimisation

Estimated Lesson Time: 15–20 Minutes

Lesson Overview

Welcome to Module 2 of the Performance Academy.

In Module 1, we focused on understanding how Microsoft Flight Simulator works.

You learnt:

• How the CPU processes the simulation.
• How the GPU renders the world.
• Why bottlenecks occur.
• What causes stutters.
• Why frame pacing matters.
• How to create a performance baseline.

Now it’s time to prepare your computer for optimisation.

Many users immediately begin changing graphics settings inside Microsoft Flight Simulator.

However…

One of the biggest mistakes people make is ignoring Windows itself.

Microsoft Flight Simulator relies heavily on Windows.

If Windows isn’t running efficiently…

Your simulator won’t perform efficiently either.

Before touching a single graphics setting…

We’re going to prepare your PC correctly.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will understand:

Why Windows plays such a major role in Flight Simulator performance.

Why optimisation should always follow a structured process.

Common optimisation myths found online.

Why creating a Restore Point is essential before making system changes.

How we’ll prepare your PC throughout Module 2.

Why Windows Matters

Many people think Microsoft Flight Simulator only relies on the graphics card.

In reality…

Windows controls almost everything happening behind the scenes.

Windows manages:

CPU scheduling

RAM allocation

Storage access

Driver communication

Background applications

Power management

Security services

Device management

Network communication

Game processes

Every one of these can influence Flight Simulator performance.

Think Of Windows Like Air Traffic Control

Imagine your PC is Heathrow Airport.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is one aircraft.

Discord is another aircraft.

Chrome is another.

Windows Update is another.

OneDrive is another.

Steam is another.

Every program wants to use your computer’s resources.

Windows acts like Air Traffic Control.

Its job is to organise everything.

If too many aircraft are trying to use the runway…

Delays occur.

Exactly the same thing happens inside Windows.

The better organised your PC is…

The smoother your simulator performs.

Why We Don’t Optimise The Simulator First

Many users immediately search:

“Best MSFS Settings”

They copy someone else’s graphics settings.

Maybe FPS improves.

Maybe it gets worse.

The problem is…

They’ve skipped the foundations.

It’s like trying to tune a racing car before changing the oil.

Our process is different.

We prepare the operating system first.

Only then do we optimise Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Our Optimisation Philosophy

Throughout this course we’ll follow exactly the same process used during professional optimisation sessions.

We never guess.

We never install dozens of “FPS boosters.”

We never disable random Windows services simply because someone on YouTube suggested it.

Instead…

We follow a structured process.

The Correct Order Of Optimisation

Step 1

Understand your system.

(Completed in Module 1.)

↓

Step 2

Prepare Windows.

(This module.)

↓

Step 3

Update essential drivers.

↓

Step 4

Optimise Windows settings.

↓

Step 5

Reduce unnecessary background activity.

↓

Step 6

Optimise Microsoft Flight Simulator.

↓

Step 7

Benchmark.

↓

Step 8

Compare against your baseline.

This process ensures every optimisation has a purpose.

Common Optimisation Myths

The internet is full of optimisation advice.

Unfortunately…

Not all of it is good.

Let’s look at some common myths.

Myth 1

“Download this FPS Booster.”

Reality:

There is no magical program that suddenly gives everyone 40 extra FPS.

Many “FPS boosters” simply change Windows settings you can configure yourself.

Some even install unnecessary software.

Throughout this course we’ll make changes ourselves so you understand exactly what has changed and why.

Myth 2

“Disable Every Windows Service.”

Some guides recommend turning off dozens of Windows services.

This is risky.

Many services are important for:

Security

Drivers

Networking

Updates

Stability

Disabling the wrong service can create more problems than it solves.

We’ll only adjust settings that are safe and appropriate.

Myth 3

“Always Use Ultimate Performance Mode.”

This isn’t true.

Every system is different.

Some systems benefit.

Others show almost no difference.

Some laptops may experience increased heat or reduced battery life.

We’ll explain when different power plans are appropriate later in this module.

Myth 4

“The Highest FPS Means The Best Experience.”

You’ve already learnt why this isn’t true.

Smooth frame pacing is usually more important than chasing the highest FPS number.

Myth 5

“More Expensive Hardware Always Solves Everything.”

A £2,000 graphics card cannot fix:

Poor Windows configuration

CPU bottlenecks

Overheating

Driver issues

Incorrect graphics settings

Good optimisation often produces noticeable improvements without changing any hardware.

Why We Create A Restore Point

Before making any system changes…

It’s important to protect yourself.

Windows includes a feature called:

System Restore.

A Restore Point creates a snapshot of important Windows system files and settings.

If something unexpected happens later…

You can return Windows to this earlier state.

Think of it as creating a save file before starting a new game.

If something goes wrong…

You simply reload your save.

What A Restore Point Does

A Restore Point can restore:

System settings

Drivers

Registry changes

Installed Windows components

It provides a safety net while you’re learning.

Important Note

A Restore Point is not the same as a full backup.

It generally doesn’t restore your personal files such as documents or photos. It focuses on Windows system files and configuration.

Creating A Restore Point

Let’s create one together.

Step 1

Click the Windows Start Menu.

Search for:

Create a Restore Point

Open the result.

Step 2

The System Properties window will appear.

Select:

System Protection

Step 3

Check that Protection is enabled for your Windows drive (usually C:).

If it’s off, enable it before continuing.

Step 4

Click:

Create

Step 5

Give your Restore Point a clear name.

Example:

Performance Academy - Module 2

Step 6

Click:

Create

Windows will now create the Restore Point.

This usually takes less than a minute.

Why We’re Doing This

Hopefully…

You’ll never need to use it.

But if you accidentally change something incorrectly…

You have peace of mind knowing you can restore your system.

Professional IT technicians routinely create restore points before making significant system changes, and it’s a good habit to develop.

Student Task

Before moving on to Lesson 2:

Create a Windows Restore Point.

Confirm that System Protection is enabled.

Name the Restore Point:

Performance Academy - Module 2

Once complete…

You’re ready to begin optimising Windows.

Lesson Summary

Congratulations.

You’ve now prepared your PC for the optimisation process.

Remember:

 Windows has a major influence on Flight Simulator performance.

 Effective optimisation follows a structured process.

 Avoid “one-click” optimisation tools and myths.

 Always create a Restore Point before making significant system changes.

Throughout this course, every change we make will have a clear purpose and will be measured against the performance baseline you created in Module 1.

In the next session, we’ll begin our first practical optimisations by exploring Windows itself—cleaning unnecessary processes, improving system efficiency and ensuring your operating system is ready to support Microsoft Flight Simulator at its best.